Why Go to Starbucks When You Can Have an $11,000 Espresso Machine?

The O² Top Brewer is the next best thing to your own private barista.

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

For true coffee lovers, nothing beats the enjoyment you get from a handcrafted espresso beverage. Unfortunately, the act of putting together a world-class latte takes time—time that most of us would rather spend on other things.

Enter the Scanomat O2 Top Brewer: an under-the-counter espresso machine that promises to deliver an enormous variety of beverages on demand.

At first glance the O2 looks like a slightly lost and lonely faucet. However, housed underneath the spout is a plethora of drink preparation devices—including a grinder, espresso machine, coffee brewer, fridge, and carbon canister. All these combine to create a complete drink preparation station capable of serving a bevy of espresso, coffee, milk, and carbonation-based beverages. Drink ingredients are served through one of four dedicated spouts, in order to prevent cross contamination of ingredients.

The O2 Top Brewer's inconspicuous appearance gives no hint of its multitude of functions. View Larger

Those concerned about food-borne illness will also be comforted to know that the Scanomat has made every effort to keep things hygienic. The system sends a blast of hot water through the milk spout after a beverage is served.

The Top Brewer is controlled with the companion iOS/Android app. The app connects to the appliance via Bluetooth and allows users to select drink types, drink size, amount of coffee, and height of foam. It even remembers your favorite beverages for later.

Convenience comes at a cost, and the O2 is no exception. The full package with Top Brewer and Cold-Bank costs a staggering $10,999, which is roughly the same as the salary of a part-time barista. Meanwhile, the Top Brewer alone costs $7,999. While these prices put the O2 out the reach of mere mortals, we wouldn't be surprised to see it cropping up in hotels and eating establishments across the U.S.

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

Follow Us

Get Our Newsletter

Real advice from real experts. Sign up for our newsletter

Thanks for signing up!

Share:

What's Your Take?

All Comments

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.

Our editors review and recommend products to help you buy the stuff you need. If you make a purchase by clicking one of our links, we may earn a small share of the revenue. Our picks and opinions are independent from any business incentives.